ApprenticeGardener, Not to step on your toes or anything. But I don't agree with "but it's better (trust me) to buy a restored vehicle than to try to "bring" one back to life yourself--" A "restored" vintage tractor looks pretty, but doesn't necessarily mean that it is a better tractor than an old ugly one that has been sitting for years and looks crappy. And the biggy, the restored tractor will cost about twice as much! I'm an AC fan, since you mentioned that! LOL I have a lot of experience with old tractors growing up and through the years. I have found that the AC's are more user friendly and cheaper to buy. They are cheaper because the 3 point hitch on them isn't the main standard that everyone went with, the Ford style. So 3PH (quick hitch) attachments are harder to find. AC's are more dependable, in my homely opinion. They are not as finicky to start, especially after sitting a while. And they don't break down as much. My neighbors, friends, brothers, and my Dad had Fords, Masseys, JD's, ETC. I spent a lot of time every spring helping them get them started. Plus I had to repair hydraulic cylinders, pumps, starters, generators, magnetos, and other things for them. I bought an AC-CA, 1954 model, about 25 years ago that had been sitting in a field for about 5 years after the owner died. I drained and flushed out the gas tank and carburetor, stuck a new battery in and it fired right up. I bought it for $1000 , including a bush hog, harrow, drag harrow, layoff plows, planter, and other stuff. I'm still using it and it fires off every time I need it! The only thing I have had to replace/repair were the brushes in the starter and the generator. Back to the OP: Look around for an older tractor, search farmer bulletins, and estate auctions. I wouldn't recommend buying a tractor that has a magneto, such as the AC-B, unless you want to convert it to a coil system. The kits are expensive to convert, $200 the last time I checked, 20 years ago. LOL But if you are kind of handy I can help you convert it to a coil for less than $50. I have converted several. If you buy an AC with the quick hitch make sure that you are getting and/or can find the attachments for it. And as ApprenticeGardener said make sure the rubber is good especially the back tires, they are expensive. Good luck!!

Was there a specific reason you want to be known as a business. Is it just to give yourself a boost be calling yourself a business, or is there a more concrete reason. If it's the former and you don't like the title of hobby, think of yourself as free lance crafter. There is just too much involved as setting yourself up as a business, when by your own admission you are not making too much money at it. I think it would be more of a headache than a help. Good luck and keep that hook going. It always gave me great satisfaction when someone wanted to pay for one of my creations. So take pride in a job well done

Those spoon flowers are really cute, Raven. I have several hobbies, but I am not good at making anything. I like to cook....but don't know that would be considered a hobby. I raise waterlilies. At one time I had one of the largest private collections of waterlilies in the USA. I had 200 varieties. I have a paltry 40 or so now. I like all kinds of plants, but especially unusual tropicals or shrubs. I like horses, but I hadn't ridden in years, so last December I bought myself a new horse (Mariah) and plan to take her to a big ranch and spend three days riding with my best friend from high school over the 4th of July weekend. Even though this isn't a hobby that most people would be interested in, I think she is beautiful....so I want to share her picture.

Two thoughts about the pantry: - I know the cart's moveable, but it's also really in the way right there in the middle of the pantry. I'd allot an empty spot against the wall / under the shelves to be appointed THE CART SPOT. This would allow it to stay out of the way. - I'd include a pass-through between the mudroom and the pantry so that when you come in with a bag of groceries you can just "set it through" the pass-through ... then your hands are free to take off your coat, etc., while your groceries are already on an empty shelf in the pantry waiting for you to come sort them out. I'd put in a pocket door between the kitchen and the laundry. Why? Laundry noise. As for a shower in the mudroom, it's not so practical as it sounds: You walk in and want to take a shower before you enter "the house proper". So you walk into the mudroom, dragging in dirt, then get into the shower (be sure to allot space for a hamper for dirty clothes) ... then, although you're clean, your clothes are still all the way across the house. So do you walk across the house in your towel? Hope your kids don't have friends over. A better plan: The real problem is YOUR FEET. So instead of a mudroom shower, go with a nice big foot wash just outside the house (or in a garage); it could double as a dog wash. Make it maybe 2x3 tile, and include a low spigot, a drain, and maybe a spray so you can really squirt off the mud. Place a rack or shelf for wet shoes right by the foot wash. Place your foot wash right by the back door so that once your feet are clean, you're ready to step right into the house (obviously you don't want to walk across the yard with your now-clean feet). Once you're in the house, go straight to your own bathroom, where you have your own towels, toiletries, and clean clothes. You don't need a farming permit in NC. Believe me, my family's been farming in NC longer than America's been America. If you have a large chunk of land and are doing it commercially, you need to be involved with the tax office, but a family who's growing a vegetable garden doesn't need permission. Why do you want a linen closet in the living room? I do think the entryway needs something, but I'm not sure what. I think the upstairs has too much space. I'd consider going with a 1 1/2 story house, which is more economical to build, and I think will give you the amount of space you actually seem to want upstairs.